As the official 2012 regional tourist season winds down, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts is taking a proactive approach to promoting their Vincentian and St Lucian destinations with a series of independent informational UK road shows.

During a comprehensive presentation to audiences of over 900 independent, high street travel agents, the team from Harlequin Hotels & Resorts also took the opportunity to update those gathered on the status of their Barbadian projects, the first of which is due to come on stream in early 2013. “H Barbados”, a luxury boutique hotel, will be located on the island’s South coast at Hastings Beach.

“We are very pleased with the response to the road shows as we realised the current economic environment necessitates a more pre-emptive approach to the marketing of our hotels and resorts” Mr Hawkins added, “The events also provided us with valuable feedback as to what potential travellers are looking for in a highly competitive world travel market and what they are want from a Caribbean destination.”

Mr Hawkins also explained, “It’s an exciting time for Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, with Buccament Bay Resort going from strength to strength, the opening of blu St Lucia plus other new developments happening in Barbados. It is pivotal to our business that we invest in our own independent travel agent road shows.”

Hawkins added, “Product knowledge is king and by holding these road shows and getting our message directly to the agents will help them place the Harlequin Hotels and Resorts top of mind when talking to their clients.”

Feedback from participants in the event confirmed the sessions were both informative and timely, providing valuable details about these relatively new properties and countries.

“The evening was one of the very best agent events that I have attended. I have gained a great deal of knowledge on both the destinations and Harlequin’s hotels and resorts. All this was done in a fun & entertaining manner, a truly enjoyable evening!” acknowledged Sue Pye from Traveleads.